Coping With Covid

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions like LBSNAA are adjusting to the new normal, even as they find avenues for making contributions during this crisis

- Sanjeev Chopra

As we enter the second week of COVID-19, nations, public and private institutions, families and individuals are beginning to understand the gravitas of the situation. This includes assessing what has been done, including what could have been done (for hindsight is the best sight) and also laying down plans, not just for the next two weeks but also for life beyond the lockdown, including the contingency of what to do in case the period of lockdown and social distancing is extended. In many ways, this period is the litmus test of whether we emerge stronger or collapse under pressure.

First things first. On the administrative front, it was becoming clear right from the beginning of March that the country will have to take many an emergency measure to prevent the agency of COVID19 from gaining ground. The Academy started taking some unprecedented steps, including cancelling the official Holi celebrations, rescheduling the sessions of all the external faculty and resource persons, drawing up the protocols for the medical centre, stocking up the stores and supplies both in the Officers Mess and the ‘Kendriya Bhandar’. Fortunately, the midterm exams were starting from the 16th, and the course team led by Nandini Paliwal decided to have online exams and stagger them over two weeks but after the lockdown on the 25th, these were converted to open book assignments. The big challenge for the faculty now would be to evaluate these!